Wayne Besen: Obama's Big Gay Speech:
Powerful words from a brilliant man!
"'The last thing we need is more flowery rhetoric in front of rich, self-effacing gays and lesbians dressed up like penguins,' said Andy Thayer of the Gay Liberation Network, who plans to picket the event.
The cross mood expressed by Thayer is indicative of the restlessness felt by the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender grass roots in the early stages of Obama's presidency.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) deserves a heaping helping of praise for furnishing a primetime platform for Obama to impart his message. But, the President and HRC must realize that the stakes are even higher than the price of the steaks served in the ballroom of the black-tie affair. While no one will likely yell, 'you lie' in the middle of his remarks, there will be a collective sigh if all we get is a pretty speech.
Let it be known that the GLBT community is no longer interested in being pals with the powerful or having the famous tell us we are fabulous - unless it leads to action. If the goal of this evening were simply to provide an interesting dinner guest, Meryl Streep or Michael Moore would have sufficed. What we want from Obama, however, is a fighter working to set us free. We need signed paper in the form of laws, not paper-thin promises and illusive signs of hope. Unless a concrete vision is offered at this"
Powerful words from a brilliant man!
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